Communication Program Protocol Switching for Intermittent Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments with intermittent communication, existing technologies face challenges in maintaining stable connections due to varying conditions, leading to communication disruptions and difficulties in using Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols effectively for general applications, as they are designed for non-real-time communications and lack clear error detection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A communication program that switches between TCP/IP and DTN protocols based on connection conditions, using a proxy function to manage communication, allowing for seamless data transmission and error notification even during disruptions, and optimizing communication paths through multiple lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DTN protocol is used for communication in intermittent environments, then communication reliability is improved, but error detection and notification mechanisms are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the proxy function notifies the terminal of communication failures in DTN protocol. The proxy detects when data transmission fails and provides feedback by sending notification packets to the terminal, enabling the terminal to understand why communication failed and take appropriate actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy function acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the DTN communication system. It translates DTN protocol failures into understandable notifications for the terminal, bridging the gap between the complex DTN error detection mechanisms and the terminal's need for clear failure information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol switching between TCP/IP and DTN is implemented, then adaptability to communication conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy function serves as an intermediary that handles protocol switching between TCP/IP and DTN. It receives data from the terminal using TCP/IP, converts it to DTN protocol for transmission, and handles the reverse conversion for incoming data, thereby managing the complexity of protocol switching centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into distinct functional components: the terminal, the proxy function, and the DTN communication layer. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, with the proxy handling protocol conversion and the terminal handling application logic, reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If communication continues during connection disruptions, then data transmission continuity is improved, but communication quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy function performs preliminary actions by buffering data locally when connection disruptions are detected. It continues to accumulate and prepare data for transmission even when the connection is unstable, so that when the connection improves, data can be transmitted continuously without interruption or loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing therein a communication program, the communication program relaying communication from an application operating on a terminal to a communication destination and causing a computer to execute a process, the process including: switching a communication protocol for the communication from a first protocol to a Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocol, in accordance with a connection condition with the communication destination for the communication; and notifying the terminal of a failure of a specific communication in cases when the specific communication has been notified to the application as completed and the specific communication in the DTN protocol results in failure.